South African captain Graeme Smith will not let his team be branded chokers anymore despite failing to make the final of the World Twenty20 here. South Africa, overwhelming favourites after five straight wins in the tournament, were knocked out by Pakistan in a seven-run defeat in Thursday's semi-final.
Shahid Afridi smashed 51 from 34 balls and then grabbed 2-16 with his leg-spin as Pakistan successfully defended 149-4 to restrict the Proteas to 142-5 before a sell-out crowd at Trent Bridge. "Every time we lose an important game, that word, chokers, is thrown around," a disappointed Smith said after the match.
"But we have played great cricket and I am proud of the way the guys have performed. "During the last couple of years we have been on an upward curve and the team will improve and get stronger and stronger." South Africa have faltered in most major multi-nation tournaments like the World Cup and Champions Trophy despite being one of the leading sides in the modern game. Smith said the semi-final loss hurt, but conceded Pakistan were the better team and deserved to win.
"It is obviously disappointing and sad to be leaving the tournament now," he said. "We have played some great cricket in this tournament and played some great cricket in the semi-final. "But Pakistan brought their 'A' game to this match and every cog worked well for them.
"Afridi was the difference. His four overs brought Pakistan back into the game. We lost our way and never got back into it. "I think we deserved to be in the final with the way we performed during this tournament, but that is not how it works. Pakistan played better than us."
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